Spain's Alhambra: A visual tour that'll make you want to book a plane ticket

During Europe's warmer months, this ancient fortress comes to life with greenery.

The fortress and palaces of Alhambra have sat atop the hills of Granada for hundreds of years, yet they still bring amazement to all who visit. Over 200 years of work went into creating this amazing structure and its surrounding gardens on Sabikah Hill — and no time is better for a visit than the warm summer months. The photo above shows the Alhambra from the Saint Nicholas Observation Point in the Albaycin district.

The Generalife gardens are among the most beautiful in the world. Initially built as a place for Muslim royalty to relax, the gardens feature beautiful courtyards and fountains. The Court of the Main Canal, shown above, is one of the more private areas, featuring low windows for visitors to sit back and enjoy the view.